Change starts when we stop waiting for permission.
The DOT Fellowship: Program Outline
The fellowship experience combines workshops, self-directed learning, and 3 real-world design projects with partner organizations. It’s the right balance of your learning, your way and the structure & support of a real grad school program — for a fraction of the cost.
ORIENTATION & DOT LEARNING EXPERIENCE
The fellowship will begin with an intensive orientation held in collaboration with a network of design and social change leaders. This is the first opportunity for fellows to come together as a group, get to know one another, and begin learning the core skills needed for the year ahead.
DESIGN PROJECTS
Over one year, fellows will complete three 15-week design projects cycles with social impact organizations. Fellows will embed themselves within the organizations and their surrounding communities. Projects will be centered around applying the human-centered design methodology - from ethnographic research to prototyping.
WORKSHOPS AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING
During the fellowship, the team will participate in workshops designed to strengthen their relationships, gain a deeper understanding of the communities they are working with, and develop leadership skills. We will close the year with workshops dedicated to building a portfolio and practical tips on starting your career as a human-centered designer.
Fellowship Timeline:
SEPTEMBER 7, 2020
Orientation course: including Intro to HCD, Field Research 101, Defining Your Learning Objectives, Setting your curriculum, Preparing for your first project, and more
SEPTEMBER 2020 - DECEMBER 2020
Design Project 1
JANUARY 2020 - APRIL 2020
Design Project 2
APRIL 2021 - JULY 2021
Design Project 3
AUGUST 2021
Closing course: including Synthesizing Your Learnings, Telling Your Story, Creating Your Portfolio, and Landing Your Dream Job
Start your journey of change.
APPLICATIONS DUE: JULY 31, 2020
PROGRAM STARTS: SEPTEMBER 7, 2020
PROGRAM COST: $997 USD*
What you’ll get:
Subscription to the curriculum and all resources (including recommended readings, assignments, worksheets, and more)
A customized learning plan co-created with you, catered for your unique needs
A dedicated learning coach, with bi-weekly check-ins against your learning plan
Support securing partnerships, including exclusive project opportunities with DOT’s partner organizations
Access to a virtual community hub of all fellows from the cohort — a global, cross-disciplinary team to learn with
The accountability of a classroom course, with the flexibility of learning at your own pace
2 week orientation course & HCD bootcamp
2 week year-end course centered around telling your story & creating a portfolio of your experiences
DOT fellows are creative and driven people who have a deep passion for solving complex problems and driving change.
As budding human centered designers, DOT fellows come from backgrounds spanning business strategy, design, policy, and technology.
This program is for people who want to take their learning to the next level and start creating change in their communities.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN FELLOWS:
Growth Mindset & Grit: You have proven your dedication to master a skill, the hunger to keep learning, and the grit to get down to work.
Creative Thinking & Problem Solving: You are an organized problem solver, with practiced creative confidence and a knack for understanding integrated systems.
Relentless Resourcefulness: You adjust quickly in unfamiliar situations, identify how to build the support systems necessary for success, and connect comfortably with diverse groups.